Brazilian raintree flat top

Clicio

Masterpiece
Messages
3,002
Reaction score
8,299
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
USDA Zone
11a
The plant will get bigger by the same factor as the smaller amount of its growth that was not removed. And, you get ramification, the mother of taper.

Interesting.
Let's say the BRT is quite young, and needs some trunk thickening; "letting it grow crazily" will not thicken the trunk faster than snipping off the growing tips?
 

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,878
Reaction score
9,248
Location
Michigan
USDA Zone
6b
Think about it in terms of units of energy expended and units of mass retained. It will grow as much as it can. The larger number of small leaves that are retained will produce the same amount of growth as the lesser number of larger leaves that the plant would have if you didn't head it back, pinch-by-pinch. It will grow as much leaf surface as programed for a given cycle by either leafing out with big leaves or little leaves. What you don't cut off is retained. By trimming off a smaller mass, you will get compound growth, just like compound interest builds up over time. Adam Smith was really a closet bonsaiist and extrapolated his economic theories from his experiences growing JBP. (Not many people know this, but I have it on good authority.)
 

Cable

Omono
Messages
1,371
Reaction score
2,188
Location
Sheffield Village, Ohio
USDA Zone
6a
Flat top is getting ready for a growth spurt. Its already shed a lot of its old leaves. Pretty bare at this time but not for long.
View attachment 226421

I'm glad I rediscovered this thread and read it. My BRT has been wintering in my office at work and I was worried about all the leaf drop but now I know that's normal. I can't wait for it to warm up so I can get it back outside!IMG_0456.JPG
 

c54fun

Omono
Messages
1,114
Reaction score
2,999
Location
Dallas TX
USDA Zone
8
Yes they sure don't like it inside. They throw a fit and drop leaves usually.
 

c54fun

Omono
Messages
1,114
Reaction score
2,999
Location
Dallas TX
USDA Zone
8

roberthu

Chumono
Messages
817
Reaction score
571
Location
Atlanta GA
USDA Zone
7B
Think about it in terms of units of energy expended and units of mass retained. It will grow as much as it can. The larger number of small leaves that are retained will produce the same amount of growth as the lesser number of larger leaves that the plant would have if you didn't head it back, pinch-by-pinch. It will grow as much leaf surface as programed for a given cycle by either leafing out with big leaves or little leaves. What you don't cut off is retained. By trimming off a smaller mass, you will get compound growth, just like compound interest builds up over time. Adam Smith was really a closet bonsaiist and extrapolated his economic theories from his experiences growing JBP. (Not many people know this, but I have it on good authority.)
I have read another theory on this forum saying the vertical growth stimulates trunk thickening because the tall the tree is, the more girth it requires to keep the tree standing up. Horizontal growth while does thicken the trunk, it is at a much slower pace compared to the impact from vertical grow of the main trunk. It may vary by species though.
 

LanceMac10

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,798
Reaction score
17,176
Location
Nashua, NH U.S.A.
USDA Zone
5
Think about it in terms of units of energy expended and units of mass retained. It will grow as much as it can. The larger number of small leaves that are retained will produce the same amount of growth as the lesser number of larger leaves that the plant would have if you didn't head it back, pinch-by-pinch. It will grow as much leaf surface as programed for a given cycle by either leafing out with big leaves or little leaves. What you don't cut off is retained. By trimming off a smaller mass, you will get compound growth, just like compound interest builds up over time. Adam Smith was really a closet bonsaiist and extrapolated his economic theories from his experiences growing JBP. (Not many people know this, but I have it on good authority.)



meaningless.....
 

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,878
Reaction score
9,248
Location
Michigan
USDA Zone
6b
Humor. Genetically absent down east?
 
Top Bottom